The monastery and the Church of St John the Forerunner connect Gomirje with a long history of Orthodox monasticism; meadows, pastures and forests shape the surrounding landscape. This offers a range of options for planning your trip: religious history, local traditions, music events and a designated cycling route.

Monastery History and Religious Dates

One place to visit in Gomirje is the monastery with the Church of St John the Forerunner. The monastery is considered the westernmost Orthodox monastery in Europe. The first monastery was built in 1600; the present-day church was built between 1719 and 1722. These dates give the complex a clear historical context. The annual celebration of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is also part of the religious and cultural calendar. Locally, the feast is known as Velika Gospojna and takes place on 28 August.

Spring Traditions and Music

Cvjetni korzo Gomirje welcomes spring. The local tradition symbolises nature’s awakening and the beginning of new life. The procession features participants in decorated attire and is led by a horse-drawn carriage through Gomirje. The tradition was revived after a 47-year break. If you would like to plan your trip around Cvjetni korzo, check the date for the relevant year.

Another cultural highlight is Gomirje Harmonika Mundijal. In 2025, it reached its seventh international edition. For this edition, the festival had expanded to a week, after previously lasting two days. The programme included a folklore showcase featuring 13 groups from across Croatia and a camp for young accordion players from different parts of the country. The event concluded at the NK Gomirje football pitch. Gomirje Monastery is traditionally the venue for the opening evening. As event dates vary from year to year, check the current edition and its dates when planning a specific trip.

Meadows, Forests and Cycling Route

Gomirje’s landscape includes numerous streams and springs with drinking water. Preserved meadows and pastures are surrounded by beech and fir forests. These forests are home to many European plant and animal species. Open spaces and wooded surroundings thus offer different ways to enjoy a stay, alongside the cultural events.

For cycling, the Vrbovsko–Gomirje–Kamačnik route is a specific option: it is 15.7 kilometres long and runs from Vrbovsko via Luke to Gomirje. It is considered moderately difficult. As the level of difficulty can change with route conditions, check them before setting out. The distance and difficulty rating offer two different points of reference for planning; the right route also depends on the conditions you encounter.

The dates also provide different anchors for your trip: Velika Gospojna is celebrated annually on 28 August, while you should check the dates of the spring tradition and Harmonika Mundijal for the relevant year. This will help you decide whether you would most like to discover Gomirje through its monastery history, a cultural event or the cycling route.

Discover more destinations: Vučnik, Moravice, Plemenitas, Severin na Kupi, Klanac, Jakšići, Lukovdol, Tuk

For the main travel overview: Općina Vrbovsko.